CHARLOTTE. N.C. — Most animals in shelters are strays or surrenders, and many are without a home simply because of their black fur.

“No animal deserves to be treated…they all deserve a loving home. I would try to change their mind, 'oh, it’s just superstition',” says Joy Jackson, who recently adopted a black cat.

Jackson recently spent the day at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Care and Control shelter.

She was looking for a black cat to add to their family and found the perfect candidate.

Unfortunately, many who visit the shelter don't have the same mindset as Jackson.

“Often black dogs and cats get looked over, and there’s a variety of reasons for that. Some of that can be superstition. Often times they stay in shelters longer or they stay in rescues longer,” says Melissa Knicely with CMPD Animal Care and Control.

Last year alone, of the 6,262 dogs that came into the shelter, over 1,700 were black dogs.

Some shelters don’t adopt out black dogs and cats during certain months in fear of abuse. Animal control microchips are in all of their animals, and they have not had any issues with that recently.

“They can harm them, they can abuse them. Can’t recall any cases that we’ve had recently, but a lot people will see things on social media because that is what they wanna do and we look into those things, we investigate those things. We have a team that does that,” Knicely explains.

Knicely says black dogs are often portrayed as aggressive and dangerous in movies, but black cats are worse off because of their portrayal as evil and superstitious animals.

“You know legends, myths, that sort of thing…now look, is this an evil kitty,” Knicely says.

Sometimes it’s easier to adopt a black animal if they’re a puppy or kitten, she says, but once they’re over a year or two old, not many want them.

"They’re wonderful cats, just like all cats. It’s just their color... there’s nothing to be afraid of or superstitious about. They’re just dolls,” Jackson adds.